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IMImobile and zeebox partner to drive deeper social media audience engagement for liv
The partnership allows broadcasters and production companies to deploy creative, multi-channel audience engagement for live TV formats
First success with Skys Got To Dance Social Wall which aggregated, moderated and republished social media messages
London, UK, April 12, 2012 - IMImobile, a leading global provider of technology infrastructure for mobile data, interactive broadcast, voice and video services to mobile operators, enterprises and media companies today announced the integration of its Multi-Media Console (MMC) within the zeebox SHOWTIME platform.
IMImobiles platform provides broadcasters with a seamless way to aggregate audience content across a range of digital streams, including Twitter, Facebook, SMS, MMS, email and apps. This allows the broadcaster to edit, curate, and then publish user-generated coverage through the ground-breaking zeebox second-screen experience to drive viewer engagement.
The initial co-operation was to help to successfully drive audience engagement during Sky 1 HDs flagship entertainment show Got to Dance, where, the IMImobile platform was used to aggregate, moderate and republish all audience interactivity onto a Social Wall in the live studio. IMImobile worked closely with zeebox to design and host all of the creative for the SHOWTIME environment within the zeebox application. This included the live broadcast Social Wall for each of the acts performing on the weekly shows, as well as additional information on the presenter, judges and act biographies.
Jay Patel, Managing Director of IMImobile, says, zeebox are leading the way in second-screen audience engagement, and how to utilise social media for TV. We look forward to working with zeebox and broadcasters globally to drive audience engagement, and to create new, innovative formats that put content at the heart of a show.
Anthony Rose, zeebox co-founder and CTO, added, All broadcasters and programme makers want to engage with their audience via social media to create more real-time engagement. The zeebox application changes the way users experience TV, connect and share content with friends. We are delighted to be working with IMImobile to integrate its technology platform, which will allow us and our partners to manage and republish audience content into the zeebox application.
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An out-of-state firefighter who suffered a serious injury has made a remarkable recovery just a few months after the injury occurred. The man suffered the work accident when he responded with other firefighters to the scene of a 18-wheeler that had caught fire. While working on the fire, an explosion occurred that tore a door off the truck and struck the man in the head. However, this accident did not result in the man's death, as he was able to survive the accident and plans to return to work in the fall, a recovery that may serve as inspiration to Wisconsin workers who have suffered similar work place injuries.
The firefighter sustained the serious injury in May. He stated that he has no recollection of the accident itself and that for the several days following the accident, he only has vague memories. However, despite the fact that the man suffered several fractures to his head, which caused internal bleeding, the man was released from the hospital just a few weeks after he had been admitted.
After the firefighter was able to move on his own, he underwent intense physical therapy. This therapy was not only to regain physical movement, but also mental processing skills. Through the hard work and support from his family and co-workers, the man is expected to be back at work within a few months, an accomplishment that has surprised many of the medical professionals who provided treatment for the man.
Serious injuries that stem from a work accident can take months if not years for Wisconsin workers to recover from. However, with the financial support that is offered through workers' compensation, these recoveries are entirely possible. By ensuring that all of the services that a worker is entitled to are available to them, they can focus, like the injured firefighter in this story, on their recovery instead of how they are going to pay for it.
Source: phillyburbs.com, "Florence firefighter critically injured in truck explosion plans to return to work," Matt Chiappardi, Aug. 13, 2012

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to our website.
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Web-enabled Modicon PLCs on Ethernet
the power of the Internet in your PLCTelemecanique web-enabled PLCs are the open solution that put the power of the internet right in your PLC. Simple, global access to information keeps your operation running at peak efficiency and makes you more competitive.


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08448 442756
Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 2QL
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There's an enticing meadow and woodland to walk, run and cycle in, an outdoor classroom facility and a play area with play equipment for all ages.
The properties are built using materials that are aesthetically sympathetic with their surroundings, so the development 'fits' with other buildings in the village. Kier homes are constructed by experienced craftsmen employing the latest modern construction methods, ensuring that each home has a high energy efficiency rating.Download the Travel Plan Booklet here
Once a former coal mining village, Fryston, has more recently become a leafy, semi-rural suburb of Castleford in West Yorkshire. Nestled at the edge of the meandering River Aire, the small village is situated just 2.5 miles north east of Castleford, following Wheldon Road. The colliery opened in the 1870s in the grounds of the now-demolished Fryston Hall and the village was built in the 1880s to house some of the miners. The coal mine was named Fryston and, at its peak, the pit employed around 1,300 miners. After the pit's closure in 1985, the colliery buildings were demolished, leaving little trace of its mining heritage.
In 2005, a re-generation programme called the Castleford Project led by Wakefield Council, Yorkshire Forward and the local residents supported by the Castleford Heritage Trust, carried out a number of re-developments in Fryston including a new Village Green and the Fryston Country Trails, a green space incorporating 8km of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways.
As expected in a small village, within a 10 minute walk there are local amenities and businesses dotted around, including the Tieve Tara Medical Centre with adjoining pharmacy, convenience stores, off-licences, hair & beauty salons, takeaways, taxi offices, post office, auto-centres and petrol stations. The road into Castleford features larger, high street stores and shops.
Kier Living is a leading house builder which builds, maintains and renews the places where people live, work and play.
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OPELOUSAS — Although his Catholic High-New Iberia team trailed by five points at halftime, Brent Indest told his players not to worry.
Despite the score, things were actually going their way, Indest said.
"We came in at halftime and we didn't panic. They scored on a couple of haymakers and trick plays and we're only down by five," Indest said.
Instead the Panthers responded by limiting Opelousas Catholic to a three-and-out on the first second-half series and then launched a scoring drive of their own — 73 yards and 16 plays — to take the lead and eventually win a key District 5-2A contest 42-26 on Friday night at Donald Gardner Stadium.
The Catholic High touchdown initiated a 28-point second half in which the third-ranked Panthers scored on every possession and improved their overall record to 8-0 and 3-0 in district.
Opelousas Catholic (7-1, 2-1) gained just 35 rushing yards in the final two quarters. The sixth-ranked Vikings finished with 116 rushing yards and 144 passing.
Catholic running back Seth Pierre said Indest's halftime message was simple and direct.
"Coach told us to come out in the second half and play our game. We needed to get more physical with (OC) and outhit the other team," Pierre said.
The Panthers finished with game with 406 rushing yards after getting 256 by halftime.
Pierre carried 18 times for 133 yards. The Panthers' Andre Bellefontaine had 188 on 22 attempts. Bellefontaine had 56 of that on a third-quarter touchdown run.
CHNI quarterback Jason Pellerin threw for only 59 yards, but he scored three of the Panthers' second-half touchdowns.
OC coach Dane Charpentier said his offense had trouble blocking the Panthers' defensive linemen.
"Our offense kind of let us down. We didn't get enough first downs and we didn't score enough points. (The Panthers) have some very good players up front and they are hard to block. I don't think you will find a better group on the D-line than (the Panthers) got. Holes open and close quickly," Charpentier said.
The Vikings led 19-14 at halftime after scoring on a first -quarter 29-yard halfback pass from tailback Caleb Vidrine to wide receiver Jacobi Richard with 1: 59 left.
That TD followed an early CHNI goal line stand in which the Vikings failed to score on three plays from the 1-yard line. The short 20-yard drive was set up with a Caleb Vidrine interception of a Pellerin pass on the game's second play.
Catholic High responded with its first long drive of the game — 67 yards and 14 plays — that ended with a 5-yard Pierre touchdown run with 7:47 left in the second period.
OC grabbed a 9-7 lead in the second quarter when the officials ruled a safety after deciding that Pellerin had grounded a pass intentionally while in the end zone.
The Vikings' Aaron Whipp returned the kickoff to the CHNI 46 and OC scored a touchdown three plays later when Labbe threw a 35-yard pass to running back Aaron Miller (4:38).
CHNI cut that lead to two points (1:41) when a 63-yard possession that ended with a nine-yard Bellefontaine run. Pierre helped set up that TD with a 22-yard run.
Devin Bijeaux's field goal with two seconds left gave OC the five-point lead.


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South Dakota Healthcare Administration Salaries - SD
Healthcare administrators earn an average salary of $74,000 in South Dakota and applicants with on-the-job experience in the healthcare field and that possess strong management and business skills will have the best opportunities for employment. The following are typical annual salaries for healthcare administration salaries in South Dakota's major cities: Sioux Falls, $58,000; Rapid City, $57,000; Aberdeen; and $58,000 Watertown, $61,000.
Hospitals and clinics depend on healthcare administrators, or medical and health services managers, as do mental health facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and long term care facilities. Among the top ten largest employers in South Dakota, six are hospitals. Medical centers such as the Sanford USD Medical Center, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Avera Saint Luke's Hospital and Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center offer employment opportunities.
For those who seek administrative management positions in nursing homes and long term care facilities, the South Dakota Department of Health and its South Dakota Board of Nursing Facility Administrators conducts and holds examinations to ensure that licensed administrators are in all nursing facilities. To become licensed as a nursing facility administrator in South Dakota, an individual must meet the following requirements. They must have a baccalaureate degree with emphasis on administration or long term care and have successfully completed a practicum. They just successfully pass the national nursing facility administrator examination, with a passing scale score of 113 and a state examination covering the rules of the South Dakota Department of Health governing nursing facilities. A passing score on the state examination is 75 percent. The Board also requires that 40 continuing education hours are completed biennially for licensure renewal.


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ERIC Number: ED185649
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1979
Pages: 344
Abstractor: N/A
Reference Count: 0
Drugs and the Class of '78: Behaviors, Attitudes, and Recent National Trends.
Johnston, Lloyd D.; And Others
This volume is the second in an annual series surveying the lifestyles and values of youth. Presented here are detailed statistics on the prevalence of drug use among American high school seniors in 1978 and on trends in those figures since 1975. Research involved annual data collection in approximately 125 public and private high schools across the U.S. Explored are students' attitudes about drug use, exposure to drug use, and perceptions about the availability of drugs. New subjects covered this year include the intensity and duration of the highs usually experienced with the various drugs and the cross-cohort comparisons of the rate of initiation into drug use. Also new this year are two figures in each drug chapter that deal with trends in drug use at earlier grade levels. Finally, two new chapters have been added that deal with certain relevant aspects of the social milieu in which American teenagers find themselves. (Author)
Descriptors: Drinking, Drug Abuse, Drug Addiction, High School Seniors, Illegal Drug Use, Marihuana, Narcotics, National Surveys, Questionnaires, School Surveys, Secondary Education, Sedatives, Smoking, Social Influences, Stimulants, Student Attitudes, Tables (Data), Trend Analysis
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC (Stock Number 017-024-00954-2).
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Inst. on Drug Abuse (DHEW/PHS), Rockville, MD.
Authoring Institution: Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor. Inst. for Social Research.


text: I was searching on the internet for tutorials on how to make themes for mymenuify and I had come across a link to some templates here. Problem is, this link is dead. Does anyone have this file or a template for system menu 4.2 that they can upload? EDIT: Never mind, I found what I was looking for.


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We are looking for a product manager who is analytically driven to design fun & engaging games by using actionable data and analysis! Do you love games and have an affinity for numbers and data? Then we are looking for you to join our team!
- Collaborate with production team to design features for new games
- Work within the team to manage the full product/game lifecycle
- Design game systems including parameter policies, tools and structural design
- Use game data to live tune events
- Provide valuable input into design, game features and other business cases based on in-depth analysis and demonstrate how that analysis impacts key product metrics
- 2-5 years of experience in product management (gaming or mobile preferred)
- 1+ years experience managing free-to-play game products with a focus on monetization
- Deep understanding of F2P game systems, economies, mechanics and balance
- Must be a logical thinker, self-starter and team player
- Passionate about games and love to geek out about numbers and data
- Good communication skills
- Ability to write clear and concise game feature specs
- Must be able to see the bigger picture and design with your customer (player, engineer, producer etc) in mind
- Basic understanding of statistics is a plus
- Previous business consulting experience a plus
- Working in a startup with an amazing growth projection
- Open work environment, with dynamic people, passionate about videogames
- Being part of small teams, where your opinion will be taken into account. You will help to decide which project the team will work on.
- Living in Valencia, a modern Mediterranean city with great weather, full of kind people.
SALARY: Negotiable.
We have a dream at Codigames. Would you help us to make it possible? Send your application to firstname.lastname@example.com


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Christine "Chris" Buckman
Date of Death: 1/10/2018
Christine "Chris" Buckman, 70, Patton passed away January 10, 2018 at UPMC Altoona. She was born October 15, 1947 in Patton the daughter of Samuel and Frances (Gavora) Reed. In addition to her father she was preceded in death by her husband Edward Buckman, daughter Leah L. Buckman, brothers Ron, Tony and Mike Reed, nephews Matthew and Andy Reed. She is survived by her mother, son Leonard Buckman, Jacksonville, FL and a special long-time love Edward "Ken" Kerchenske, grandchildren Sidney Buckman, Victoria, Edward and Matthew Lloyd, brother Sam, sisters Janine (Jack) Serafin, Bunny (PJ) Stevens, Laurie (John) Shook and numerous nieces and nephews. She was co-owner of Spruce Mountain Helicopters and owner and operator of Twist n' Shake, Patton. Chris was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carrolltown. The highlights of her life over the years were spending time with Sid, Tori, Eddie, Matt, long conversations with her son Len and time spent with Ken. At Chris's request their will, be no visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held 10 am Tuesday at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Carrolltown, by Rev. Jude W. Brady, OSB. Interment, St Mary's Cemetery, Patton. In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. (www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com)


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I love the hot pink & navy color combination, super fresh & fun. And I love that Aimee and Kevin used this combo with the damask design...
Aimee & Kevin chose thermography printing, making the design and color really pop!
November 19, 2009
Aimee & Kevin's hot pink & navy invitations
at 9:35 AM Posted by Blush Paperie.
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1 comment:
- Erica said...
LOVE this! will be contacting you soon for invites for my september 25, 2010 wedding :)
- November 19, 2009 at 1:21 PM
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Al Jones with this week's fish and game report.
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Mountain View, California. -- Commerce Secretary Ron Brown has become an aggressive advocate of overseas arms sales as a way to counter widening trade deficits and mild cuts in Pentagon spending.
His rationale, in part, is the Clinton administration's emphasis on ''dual-use'' technologies -- those with both military and civilian applications -- as a strategy for defense ''conversion.'' As the dividing line between military and commercial technologies becomes ever more blurred, the Commerce Department becomes more involved in arms sales.
Mr. Brown has made trips to Saudi Arabia and France to pitch defense products, and has stated that his goal is ''to ensure that U.S. industries, including defense companies, . . . are poised to take advantage of appropriate business opportunities worldwide.''


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Picnic rugs - 3 items
When the weather starts to warm up (and dry out), it's time to grab a picnic rug and head to your nearest patch of green! For whatever reason, a glass of chilled white wine, wheel of brie and baguette taste so much better on a picnic blanket under a tree, and you'll find all sorts of options from our Picnic Rugs collection that will look great, and last you for years.
Read more


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Product Details
ShopResponse time: A few hrs.Response rate: 96%
Listing categoryMaterialHow it's madeHandmadeOriginTaiwanUnique featuresCustomizableQuantityDown to the last 5
- Listing summaryDancing Silver Sterling Silver Ring S
Dancing Silver Sterling Silver Ring S
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In stock:ISO #10、#13.
■ This is pre-order item except the size has in stock as showing. We will start the fabrication process after pre-order was confirmed and received the payment from the customer. The lead time of product fabrication will be 7 to 10 working days (Excluding holidays and delivery).
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■ Customized order will start the fabrication process after pre-order was confirmed and received the payment from the customer. The lead time of product fabrication will be 7 to 10 working days (Excluding holidays and delivery).
■ If you are not sure about your ring size, we recommend that asking a jewelry shop-assistant around you to get the "International Ring Size" of your ring.
■ Handmade production, expected 0.1cm tolerance.
■ If you want to customize this product, please send me a Pinkoi message.
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Category Archives: Plague
Etymology: Originating in the Old Norse, Þórr or þunraz, meaning: "Thunder."
Pronunciation: thor
Alternate Spelling: Þórr (Old Norse), ðunor (Old English), Thorr, Thunor, Thonar, Donar (Old High German/ Teutonic), Donner, Thur, Thunar (Old Saxon), Thuner (Old Frisian) or Thunaer
Other Names and Epithets: Thor is known by a number of names and epithets in Norse mythology, poetry and literature.
Tor, Ásabragr (Asabrag, Æsir-Lord), Ása-Þórr (Asa-Thor Æsir-Thor), Atli (The Terrible), Björn (Bjorn, Biorn Bear), Einriði (Eindriði, The One who Rides Alone, The One who Rules Alone), Ennilangr (Ennilang, The One with the Wide Forehead), Harðhugaðr (Hardhugadr, Strong Spirit, Powerful Soul, Fierce Ego, Brave Heart), Harðvéurr (Hardveur The Strong Archer), Hlóriði (Hlórriði, The Loud Rider, The Loud Weather-God), Öku-Þor (Oku-Thor, Ukko-Thor, Cart Thor, Driving Thor), Rymr (Rym, Noise), Sönnungr (Sonnung, The True One), Véþormr (Vethorm, Protector of the Shrine), Véuðr (Véuðr, Véoðr, Veud, Veod), Véurr (Veur, Guard of the Shrine, Hallower), Vingþórr (Vingthor, Battle-Thor, Hallower), The Thunderer and many others
Thor, the Germanic god of Thunder is found in many Germanic mythologies such as the Teutonic and Norse mythos! Much as I love the Marvel version, what follows will be the proper mythological versions of the legend.
Among the Norse, Thor was a very popular deity who even surpassed the worship of his father Odin. As a god of thunder, strength and war, Thor protected both gods and mortals against evil.
Animal: Beetle, Goat
Day of the Week: Thursday
Element: Air
Metal: Iron
Patron of: Farmers, Sailors, Common Man, Warriors
Planet: Jupiter
Plant: Oak
Sphere of Influence: War, Protection of Mankind, Sky, Rain, Strength, Fertility, Hallowing, Healing, Thunder, Lightning, Storms
Symbols: Hammer, Swastika
Norse Depictions
Not the Marvel comic character of Thor who is blonde and muscular.
In Norse mythology, Thor is described as a large man with red hair and beard that gives off sparks when he's angry. Further, he is described as having a wide forehead and fierce looking eyes. Thor is also known for not being very smart and having an insatiable appetite, he however, is always dressed for battle.
Another important aspect to Thor is that he is known for being able to change his size. Due to how hot and heavy he is, Thor is unable to cross the Bifrost bridge. He has to wade through the Northern Sea and enter Asgard the long route.
While Thor is known to be overly hasty in his judgments, is a reliable friend and battle companion who will have people's backs.
What's In A Name? – Syno-Dieities!
For one, the Romans, as they did with many other cultures that they encountered would equate their gods with those, whom they had in many cases, just conquered. In the case of Thor, while the Norse may not have ever been fully conquered, the Romans saw their god, Jupiter, a god of lightning and thunder in Thor. If the Romans weren't equating Thor with Jupiter, they were equating Thor with Hercules. Other Indo-European gods equated with Thor have been the Celtic god Taranis, the Baltic Perkunas, the Estonian Taara, the Finno-Ugric Tiermes and Tordöm or Torum, the Slavic Perun and even the Hindu god Indra.
There were several Germanic cultures with incredibly similar mythologies throughout Europe at the time. So many of the deities were often extremely similar in function and myths. The Anglo-Saxons knew Thor by the name of Thunor. In Old English, Thor is known as Þunor where it becomes Donar in the Old High German or Teutonic mythos. Donar is thought to originate from the Common Germanic word Þunraz, meaning "thunder."
During the Viking Age, many personal names using some form of Thor began to appear and be recorded with increasing frequency. It's thought that the increased usage for the name Thor was in direct response to the growing Christian religion and resistance to it.
Donar – This is the South German or Teutonic name for Thor. The first record of this name was found on a piece of jewelry dating from the 7th century C.E. during the Migration Period of the Germanic people.
Donar Oak – In the 8th century C.E., there is an account how the Christian missionary, Saint Boniface knocked down an oak tree dedicated to "Jove" in Hesse, Germany.
Indra – A Hindu god, many have pointed towards both Thor and Indra having red hair and Scholars have compared the slaying of Vrita, a demon serpent by Indra with Thor's battle with Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent.
Thunor – this is the Anglo-Saxon storm god and name for Thor.
Germanic Origins & Worship
Thor finds his roots in the Proto-Indo-European religion. He is a very prominent god who is mentioned many times throughout the history of the Germanic peoples from the Bronze Age, to the times of Roman occupation, to their expansions during their Migration Period, to seeing the height of his popularity during the Viking Age and persisting even during the Christianizing of Scandinavia.
Even into modern times, Thor is still found in the rural folklore in many Germanic regions. Many Nordic personal and place names often contained Thor's name.
A hypothesis put forward by Georges Dumézil for the old Indo-European religion says that Thor represented strength when comparing him to the Hindu god Indra. However, it's noted that many of Indra's functions have been taken over by Odin.
Scholars have taken note of Thor's association with fertility, especially as seen in later folklore where Thor is referred to as Sami Hora galles, the "Good-man Thor." The equation is made as peasants seeing the side-effects of Thor's aerial battles in the heaven that bring rain. Which makes sense when seeing Thor as a storm god, fertility would be a side-effect. Further proof is pointed in Thor's marriage to Sif of whom not much is known about, but may very well be a memory for the divine marriage between the primary Sky God and Earth Goddess.
I'm not sure how much I agree with, but when you've got people wanting to connect everything, okay….
What is more practical and pointed out is Thor's primary and principle function as the god of the second class, common man. Archaeological evidence points towards a three-tiered social hierarchy among the Norse. The first being the nobility and rulers, second being the warriors and the third being the farmers, commoners and everyone else. Thor was primarily the god of warriors and due to his being a storm god, easily stood for the farmers and commoners. As a result, Thor became the most important of the Norse gods, especially during the Viking Age as the lines between the second and third classes began to blur as social changes among the Germanic peoples.
Odin, who was the principle god for the first class appealing to the nobles, rulers, outcasts and anyone who was considered elite. Odin was often seen at odds with Thor as seen in many of the Eddas. One episode has Odin taunting Thor how Odin's warriors are the nobles who fall in battle and that the thralls who fall in battle belong to Thor. Another episode has Odin blessing a favored hero of his, Starkaðr. For every blessing that Odin would impart, Thor gave a matching curse for Starkaðr.
Thunor's Mound
This is an example of place names containing the name for Thor, but later forgotten as Christianity replaced the older Pagan religions.
In Kentish royal legends from about the 11th century C.E., there is a story of a reeve of Ecgberht of Kent known as Thunor. He was seen as being so wicked that he was swallowed up by the earth at a place known as þunores hlæwe or "Thunor's Mound.
Thor's hall of Bilskirnir is found in the region of Thrudheim (or spelt Thruthheim and Þrúðheimr), meaning: "Land of Strength." Another place known as Þrúðvangr is mentioned as one of Thor's abodes.
One of Thor's temples located in Gamla Uppsala, Sweden, here, there is a statue showing Thor wielding a mace with Odin and "Fricco" standing to his right. Uppsala was replaced by a Christian church in 1080 C.E. Priests were appointed to each of the gods who offered up sacrifices. Sacrifices to Thor were only made during times of famine and plague.
Parentage and Family
Odin – Not just Thor's father, Odin is also The All Father in Norse Mythology
Jord – Mother and Earth Goddess
Sometimes, Thor is said to the son of either Fjorgynn, also an Earth Goddess or Hlodyn.
Frigg – Thor is sometimes portrayed as Frigg's stepson.
Sif – Wife, a fertility goddess
Jarnsaxa – "Iron Cutlass," A Jötunn and Thor's Mistress. I guess that means Thor was in a polyamory relationship.
Thor is the oldest of several brothers.
Baldr, Höðr, Víðarr, Váli, Hermóðr, Heimdallr, Bragi, Týr
Thrud – Also spelled as Þrúðr. She is likely a Valkyrie. Thor's daughter with Sif
Magni – Thor's son with Járnsaxa
Modi – Thor's son with an unknown mother.
Ullr – Thor is the stepfather to this god of hunting.
Attendants of Thor
Thialfi – Not only Thor's servant, but the messenger for the gods.
Þjálfi and Röskva – A pair of mortals, brother and sister who accompanied Thor as they ride around in his chariot.
Aesir Versus Vanir
The Aesir gods and Vanir gods of Norse mythology were two different tribes of gods who at first fought each other then started working together.
Thor belongs to the Aesir tribe of gods.
Thursday – Eight Days A Week!
In Western culture, the fourth day of the week is called Thursday or Thor's Day, named after and for Thor himself. In Old English, this name is Thunresdaeg or Thunor's Day. In German, the name of this day was known as Þonares dagaz or Donnerstag, meaning: Donar's Day. Others believe the name of Thursday derives from Jupiter Tanarus, the Thundering Jupiter. In this case it's taking the name of a Celtic deity and attaching them to a Roman god.
Interpretatio Germanica – This was a practice used during the time of the Romans when the Germanic people adopted the Roman weekly calendar and simply replaced the names of the Roman gods with their own. It easily explains how the Roman calendar and Dies Iovis, "Day of Jupiter" becomes Thursday, "Thor's Day."
God Of Thunder & Lightning
Thor is best known as a god of the sky and thunder among the Norse. Since thunder & lightning often mean rain, Thor is also the god of agriculture and fertility.
The 19th century scholar Jacob Grimm wrote how a number of phrases in the Germanic languages refer to Thor. Phrases such as: Thorsvarme meaning "Thor's Warm" in Norwegian used to describe lightning; godgubben åfar meaning "The good old fellow is taking a ride" in Sweden along with tordön, meaning: "Thor's rumble" or "Thor's thunder" to describe when it thunders. According to Montelius, thunderbolts were known as Thorsviggar.
In Scandinavia, there is a folk belief that lightning will frighten away trolls and jötnar. This is likely a reflection of Thor's pen chance for fighting giants. The evidence for a lack of trolls and ettins in Scandinavia is given that it is due to Thor's accuracy and proficiency with his lightning strikes.
Once upon a time, this symbol was a protective religious symbol. While many who are already familiar with the history of this symbol are familiar with the sun or solar wheel. The swastika was also associated with Thor as this symbol was thought to represent Mjollnir or lightning.
As a protective sigil, it had been worn by women and archaeological searches have found the swastika depicted on many women's graves. It's thought to have been used by warriors too as it represented Thor's lightning and used alternatively with a hammer symbol when going into battle. The symbol has been found on many memorial stones throughout Scandinavia next to inscriptions for Thor and a sword was found with an image of the swastika on the pommel. This symbol appears in many places on many Germanic artifacts dating from the Migration Period and Viking Ages.
God Of Craftsmanship
As a god of craftsmanship, it also made him the common man's god from farmers to sailors.
God Of Healing
A Canterbury Charm dating from the 11th century C.E. has a runic inscription calling upon Thor to heal a wound by banishing a þurs or thurs.
In the Elder Futhark, the rune ᚦ or Thurs may have likely referred to dark magic or an evil spirit often called trolls or nisse.
God Of Protection & Strength
For the Germanic peoples, Thor represented the very archetype of the loyal and honorable warrior that warriors would aspire to. He was the defender of Asgard and the Aesir gods, protecting them from the jotuns, their enemies.
Going hand in hand with his role as protector is Thor's great strength. Without his strength, power or even courage, Thor would not have been able to do his job as a protector of the gods, Asgard and Midgard. Sure Odin and Loki have the brains, it was often Thor with his brawn leading the way to muscle past faceless hordes of jotuns, ogres and trolls to defend everyone while the brains of the operations got their plans working.
A Kvinneby amulet dating from the 11th century C.E. has a runic inscription invoking protection from both Thor and his hammer.
As a weather god, Thor would also protect sailors traveling over the seas.
I find it interesting that Thor specifically is a deity noted for hallowing, that is to make something or someplace sanctified, sacred or holy. I suppose any deity can and do so, just not so explicitly like this.
As many called on Thor for protection and defense, for comfort, it does make a certain sense that he does bless items and places. A number of runic inscriptions found at many archeological sites all testify this. Even weddings were blessed by Thor as seen in the use of a hammer placed on a bride's lap during marriage ceremonies. Early Icelandic farmers were known to call upon Thor to bless their plot of land before they built or planted crops.
Often Thor's hammer, Mjollnir was used for blessing and hallowing just as often as he would use it to destroy. So, if he is seen as having the power to banish or destroy, having the power for just the opposite of hallowing is a given.
Thor's Birthday
Interesting, some sources cite December fifth or even December 25th as the day for Thor's birth. Imagine that, the same day for Saint Nicholas' Day (December fifth) and Christmas (December 25th).
Mjollnir – Thor's Hammer
Meaning "Destroyer" or "Crusher," Mjollnir is represented as a stylized hammer. Whenever Thor threw Mjollnir, lightning would flash. The hammer would return to Thor's hand after being thrown, a move symbolic of lightning. The myths describing Mjollnir say it could crush mountains. Mjollnir was crafted for Thor by the dwarven brothers Sindri and Brokkr.
In addition, Mjollnir held another power, that of returning the dead to life. In connection to Thor's association to fertility and life, there was an old Nordic tradition of placing a hammer in a bride's lap at her wedding and that of raising a hammer over a newborn.
Mjollnir's Origins – Loki, the Norse god of trickery was in a rather mischievous mood, deciding it would be a good idea to cut off all of Sif's hair. With Sif being Thor's wife, the might god of thunder was not amused one bit. He swore to break every bone in Loki's body to defend Sif's honor and Loki pleaded with Thor to let him go to the caves of the dwarves to see if they could help fix the problem of Sif having no hair.
Loki went to the dwarven home where he implored the dwarf, Ivaldi to fashion some new hair for Sif. Ivaldi's sons crafted a wig composed of the finest strands of gold. In addition, the dwarves made two other gifts, a ship that could easily fold down into a person's pocket and would always have wind to move it and a magnificent, yet deadly spear.
Seeing these, Loki made a wager with two dwarven brothers, Sindri and Brokkr, betting his own head that the brothers couldn't craft three gifts of their own for the gods that would be greater than what Ivaldi's sons had crafted.
As the brothers began working at their forge, Loki shape-shifted into a fly as he attempted to interrupt their work to try and win the bet. While crafting the last gift, a hammer, Loki succeeded at interrupting the brothers enough that the handle of the hammer was too short. Despite this, the hammer was still considered the best of all of the gifts created and it was presented to Thor as he was the only one capable of welding it.
Holy Symbol – This major symbol of Thor's has appeared in a many archaeological sites in iron, silver and other metal. Hammer shaped amulets were worn as necklaces by worshipers and followers of Thor, even during the Christianizing of Scandinavia as a means of defiance to the incoming religion. Both crosses and hammer shapes have been found side by side at archeological and burial sites.
Megingjard – Belt Of Strength
Meaning "Strength Increaser," this is another of Thor's mystical items and regalia. This belt doubled his already considerable strength while wearing it.
Járngreipr – Iron Gloves
These gloves were given to Thor by the female Jotunn Gríðr to defend himself against the giant Geirröd. These gloves were needed when Thor wielded Mjollnir.
An unbreakable staff provided by the female Jotunn Gríðr to defend himself against the giant Geirröd.
Thor's Chariot
Thor rode around the heavens in a chariot pulled by two goats. These goats' names are: Tanngnjostr (Teeth-Grinder) & Tanngrisnir (Teeth-Barer or Gap-Tooth.) Thor would kill and eat these goats, after which, they would be resurrected by placing their bones back within their hides. The Old English expression of: þunnorad ("thunder ride") is likely an allusion to Thor riding around in his chariot.
Thor Versus Giants
The giants or Jotun lived in Jotunheim, one of the nine worlds of Norse mythology. The Jotun of were the main enemies of Thor whom he would strike down by hitting them on the head. While many of the dealings between the gods and Jotun were often civil, the fights and battles were frequent. Thor would lead the charge against the Jotun as he rode his chariot and swinging around his mighty hammer. The lightning and thunder seen during storms were believed to be Thor fighting the Jotun on behalf of the mortal realm of Midgard.
In Norse mythology, the jotun represented the forces of chaos, destruction and entropy that would destroy all of Midgard and the Cosmos if Thor and the other gods didn't keep them in check.
Half-Giant – Well… more like three-quarters giant really. It seems a little odd that for all that Thor is the protector of the Aesir and Asgard, that Thor is three-quarters giant himself. Odin, his father is a half-giant and his mother, Jord is a giant herself. Despite that lineage, it doesn't stop Thor or any of the other gods from getting along and standing against the jotuns.
Thor Versus Geirrod – In this story, Loki had been flying around in the form of a falcon when got captured by the jotun, Geirrod. The jotun refused to release Loki unless he could find a way to get Thor to come to his court. Thor did agree, thinking that this would be a peaceful invitation and came without his hammer, Mjollnir.
Along the way, Thor stopped at the home of a friendly female jotun by the name of Grid. She warned Thor how Geirrod really intended to kill Thor. Grid loaned Thor her unbreakable staff, Gríðarvölr.
Finally arriving at Geirrod's court, Thor was taken to a room where he sat in the only chair present. When Thor sat, the chair began to raise towards the ceiling. Just as Thor was about to be crushed to death, he braced Grid's staff against the ceiling and pushed his way back to the floor. There were two loud cracks and screams that followed. When Thor looked to see the source, he saw Geirrod's two daughter laying there in pain as Thor had broken their backs when forcing himself back to the floor as they had been lifting the chair.
Geirrod rushed into the room in a rage, throwing a molten iron rod at Thor. Undaunted, Thor caught the rod easily and Geirrod in a panic, hid behind a pillar. When Thor threw the rod at the pillar, it not only pierced the pillar, but continued through to impale Geirrod, killing him.
The Sun, The Moon & Freyja – One such story has Asgard, the home of the Norse gods getting damaged during a war between the gods. One of the Jotun offered to help rebuild the walls for Asgard, vowing to get it done in a short span of time. The gods accepted this offer, believing it would be an impossible task. The gods promised the Jotun a reward of the sun, the moon and the hand of Freyja in marriage. This Jotun nearly finished the task in the stated time period. However, to prevent having to fulfill the gods end of the bargain, Thor killed the Jotun.
Defeated By Utgard-Loki
This is a story that has two parts to it, beginning easily enough one winter when the jotun were causing huge blocks of ice to fall from the sky down into Midgard into people's homes and causing vast amounts of snow to cover the fields to prevent planting any crops. As the defender and champion of humanity, Thor journeyed to the realm of Jotuneim with Loki and a couple of other companions.
Part One – Thor Versus Skrymir – In this first part, Thor and Loki met the Jotun known as Skrymir. This giant was so immense, that Thor and his companions mistook him for a hill. There was an oddly shaped mansion that the group found and decided to sleep in for the night. In the morning the group discovered that this mansion was actually one of Skrymir's gloves. When the group awoke n the morning, they realized what they had taken for a hill was actually the giant, Skyrimir still asleep. Thor tried to crush in the Jotun's skull with his hammer, Mjollnir. In response, Skrymir merely brushed the blow away as if it were nothing but a fly or leaf.
Despite the efforts of Thor to murder Skyrimir in his sleep, when the giant awoke, he offered to lead the group on their way to Utgard, a city of the jotun.
Part Two – Visiting Utgard – Skrymir led the group to the jotun city of Utgard where the group lost sight of Skrymir and was greeted by a group of jotun, including the king himself, Utgard-Loki. Given the general animosity between the gods and jotun, it's no surprise that Thor, Loki and their other companions were not welcomed, unless of course they could complete a series of seemingly impossible challenges.
Loki was challenged and lost an eating contest when his opponent not only ate all the meat, but the bones and plate itself. Thialfi, one of the companions with the group, lost a series of three footraces.
It now fell to Thor to fulfill three challenges. As Thor boasted he could drink anyone under the table, a large drinking horn was brought to him with the challenge to finish it all in one gulp. After taking three huge swallows, Thor had only managed to drain the horn a few inches.
With the next challenge, Thor boasted his immense strength and Utgard-Loki challenged Thor to pick up a cat off the ground. After three attempts at moving the cat, Thor was only able to succeed at moving one paw.
Enraged by this, Thor accepted the last challenge of a wrestling match with anyone willing to match strength with him. The only one who would, was an old, frail looking woman. Thinking this would be easy, once again Thor was met with defeat at the hands of a feeble opponent who easily bested the mighty god, bringing him to his knees.
After this, Utgard-Loki declared the contests over and allowed the gods to stay the night and rest before returning home in the morning.
Come daylight, Utgard-Loki led the group out of Jotunheim. Once they were well past the borders, Utgard-Loki revealed himself to have been the giant, Skrymir who lead them to the city. Utgard-Loki proceeded to reveal the secrets of all of the challenges that Thor and his companions undergone.
Loki had been competing with fire, that burns and consumes everything it touches. That Thialfi's opponent was thought, whom no one can outrun. As to Thor, the drinking horn he had drunk from was connected to the ocean and that he had succeeded in lowering the sea levels. The cat that Thor had tried lifting was none other than Jormungand, the Midgard serpent that encircles the world. As for the old woman, she was Age itself whom no one can defeat. That no matter how fiercely and bravely Thor fought her, even he would fall to her.
Angry at being tricked, Thor raised his hammer Mjollnir only to have the king of giants and his city vanish into thin air.
Thor Versus Hrungnir – One day Odin was out wandering near Jotunheim when he meets the jotun, Hrungnir. Odin challenged the jotun to a horse race back to Asgard. While Odin still won the match, he invited the jotun, Hrungnir to stay for dinner. During the dinner, Hrungnir gets drunk and boasts about how he could destroy Asgard and keep the goddesses as his concubines, including Thor's own wife, Sif.
Needless to say, Thor didn't take too well to this boasting and challenged Hrungnir to a fight. The jotun agreed and as Hrungnir had brought no weapons, they went back down to meet up near Jotunheim.
Before getting there, the other jotuns crafted a huge clay figure, some 30 miles high and 10 miles wide whom they brought to life. This clay figure would be Hrungnir's right-hand man during the upcoming fight.
When Thor arrived, he was unfazed by seeing Hrungnir's massive clay figure fighting beside him. Using his own trickery, Thor sent his own servant to keep the clay figure busy while Thor battled Hrungnir. When Hrungnir threw a giant whetstone, Thor responded with hurling his hammer, Mjollnir that broke the stone in half before continuing through to smash in Hrungnir's head.
The Poetic Edda & Other Sagas
Much of what we know about Thor and the other Norse deities comes from the surviving Poetic Edda that was compiled in the 13th century C.E. It is a collection of various poems as follows: Völuspá, Grímnismál, Skírnismál, Hárbarðsljóð, Hymiskviða, Lokasenna, Þrymskviða, Alvíssmál, and Hyndluljóð.
Alvíssmál – In this poem, Thor manages to trick the dwarf, Alviss. When the story starts, Thor meets the dwarf, Alviss who is talking about marriage. Finding the dwarf to be ugly and repulsive, Thor comes to realize that it is own daughter, Thrud who is to be married. Further angered, Thor learns that this marriage was arranged by the other gods while he was away. Alviss however, must still seek Thor's consent.
In order to get Thor's permission, Alviss must tell Thor all about the worlds that he has visited. It becomes a rather long question and answer session as Alviss goes into detail about the terrains, different languages of various races and a goodly amount of cosmology.
This long question and answer session is nothing more than a delay tactic by Thor. While Thor comments that he has never met anyone with more wisdom, he has succeeded in delaying Alviss long enough that when the Sun rises, it turns him to stone. Now Thor's daughter won't be marrying someone he doesn't approve. Of course, Thor could have made it easier by simply denying Alviss' request, but it might have been more problems.
Grímnismál – In this poem, Odin is disguised as Grimnir wherein he is tortured, starved and thirsty. In this state, Grimnir tells a young Agnar about the cosmology of Norse believes, that Thor lives in Þrúðheimr and every day, Thor wades through the rivers Körmt and Örmt and the two Kerlaugar. At the base of the world tree, Yggdrasil, Thor sits as a judge.
Hárbarðsljóð – In this poem, Thor is the central figure. After having traveled "from the east," Thor comes to an inlet where he tries to get a ride from a ferryman by the name of Hárbarðr (Odin in disguise). The ferryman shouts at Thor from the inlet, being rude and obnoxious. Thor takes this all-in stride at first, keeping his cool. As Hárbarðr becomes more and more aggressive, the two eventually fall into a flyting match.
Flyting? Epic Rap Battles way back in the day. As the match continues, it is revealed that Thor has killed several jötnar (giants) in the east and berserk women in Hlesy (the Danish island of Læsø). Thor loses the match to Hárbarðr and finds himself forced to walk.
It should be noted that the name of Hárbarðr or Harbard means Greybeard.
Hymiskviða – In this poem, Thor is the central character. After the gods have been out hunting and finished eating their prey, they begin to drink. As they drink, the gods decide to "shake the twigs" and interpret what is said. The gods then decide that they will find some cauldron's at Ægir's home. Thor gets to Ægir's home and tells the other god how he needs to prepare a feast for the gods. Annoyed by this, Ægir informs Thor that he and the other gods will need to bring him a suitable cauldron in which to brew some ale in. Searching to no avail, Thor and the other gods are unable to locate such a cauldron. Tyr tells Thor that there may be a proper cauldron to use at Hymir's place over east in Élivágar.
Stabling his goats, Thor and Tyr head to Hymir's hall for a large enough cauldron to meet Ægir's demands. When they arrive, Tyr see his nine-hundred-headed grandmother and his gold-clad mother who welcomes the two with a drinking horn. Hymir comes in and he's not happy to see Thor. Tyr's mother helps with finding a large enough cauldron for Ægir's need for brewing. Thor in the meantime, eats a huge meal consisting of two oxen (while the others only have one) and then falls asleep.
In the morning, Thor awakens and tells Hymir that he wants to go fishing, intending to catch a lot of fish, but he will need bait. Hymir has Thor get bait from his pasture. Thor does so, going out and rips the head off of Hymir's best ox. I can see why Hymir isn't happy with seeing Thor.
There's a break in the poem and it picks up with Thor and Hymir out at sea in a boat, fishing. Hymir manages to catch a few whales. Thor goes and baits his line with the head of the ox and when he throws it out, it is Jörmungandr, the monstrous sea serpent that takes the bait. Undaunted, Thor pulls the serpent up and slams Jörmungandr's head with his hammer. Jörmungandr lets out a mighty shriek.
There is another break in the poem. However, other sources have commented that what is likely to have happened, is that Hymir cut the line holding Jörmungandr and he slipped back down into the ocean. This incident is also probably the source of the enmity between Thor and Jörmungandr at Ragnarok when the two kill each other.
The poem picks back up with Hymir completely unhappy and quiet as the two row back to shore. Back at shore, Hymir tells Thor to help him carry one of the whales back to his farm. Thor's response is to pick up the boat, whales and all to carry them back to the farm.
Back at the farm, Thor smashes a crystal goblet that he throws at Hymir's head at the suggestion of Tyr's mother. Thor and Tyr are given the cauldron that they came looking for and while Tyr is unable to lift it, Thor is able to at least roll it along.
After leaving Hymir's place and getting some distance from the farm, Thor and Tyr are attacked by an army of multi-headed creatures all led by Hymir. Thor kills all of the attacking creatures and presumably Hymir. One of Thor's goats ends up lame, however Thor and Tyr are successful at bringing back a large enough cauldron for Ægir who is able to brew enough ale for everyone. Clearly the feast is enough of a success that the gods return every winter to Ægir's place for more ale.
Hyndluljóð – In this poem, Freyja offers the jötunn woman, Hyndla a blót or sacrifice to Thor so that she can be protected. The comment is made that Thor doesn't care much for jötunn women. Which begs the question of why make the offer? Unless because it was Freyja making the offering, knowing that Thor would honor it?
Lokasenna – In this poem, Loki enters a flyting match the gods in Ægir's hall. Thor isn't present for this incident. Towards the end of the poem, as things get more heated, the attention is turned towards Sif, Thor's wife and Loki makes a bold claim to have slept with her. Beyla, a servant of Freyr's, interrupt and announces that since the mountains are shaking, it must mean that Thor is on his way home. Beyla continues with how Thor will bring an end to the argument. Loki responds with more insults.
Thor does arrive and tell Loki to keep quiet or else he'll rip off Loki's head using his hammer. Loki taunts Thor, asking why he is so angry, he won't be in any mood to fight the wolf, Fenrir after it eats Odin. All this is about the events of Ragnarok that have been foretold. Thor again tells Loki to keep quiet with a threat to throw the trickster god so far into the sky he would never come back down.
Not daunted in the least, Loki tells Thor how he shouldn't be bragging about his time in the east as the mighty Thor had once cowered in fear inside the thumb of a glove. Once more Thor tells Loki to keep silent with threats to break every bone in his body. Loki continues the taunts, saying he still intends to live, throwing in references to when Thor had met Útgarða-Loki.
Thor gives a fourth and final demand to Loki for silence or else he would send Loki to Hel. At this, Loki ceases his taunts saying that he will leave the hall, knowing that Thor does indeed strike. The segment of the poem containing Thor ends here, but continues on.
Skírnismál – In this poem, Freyr's messenger, Skirnir threatens the lovely Gerðr with whom Freyr is in love with. Skirnir's many threats and curses include those of having Thor, Freyr and Odin himself be angry with her if she doesn't return Freyr's advances. I would hope that Gerðr held her ground and said no.
Þrymskviða – Also known as the Lay of Trym, this comedic poem features Thor as a central figure. Thor awakens one morning to discover that his hammer, Mjöllnir is missing. Thor confides in Loki about the missing hammer and that no one knows it's missing. The two then head to Freyja's hall to find the missing Mjöllnir. Thor asks Freyja if he can borrow her feathered cloak to which she agrees. At this, Loki takes off with the feathered cloak.
Loki heads to Jötunheimr where the jotunn, Þrymr is making collars for his dogs and trimming the manes of his horses. When Þrymr sees Loki, he asks what is happening among the Æsir and elves and why it is that Loki is alone in Jötunheimr. Loki replies by telling Þrymr how Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir is missing. Þrymr admits to having taken Mjöllnir and hiding it some eight leagues beneath the earth where Thor will never get it back unless the goddess Freyja is brought to him to be his wife. Loki takes off again, flying back to the Æsir court with Freyja's cloak.
Thor enquires with Loki if he was successful. Loki tells of what he has found out, that Þrymr took Thor's hammer and will only give it back if Freyja is brought to Þrymr to be his wife. At this news, Thor and Loki return to Freyja to tell her of the news that she is to be a bride to Þrymr. Angry, Freyja flat out refuses, causing the halls of the Æsir to shake and for her famous necklace, Brísingamen to fall off.
The gods and goddess hold a meeting to debate the matter of Þrymr's demands. The god Heimdallr puts forth the suggestion that instead of Freyja, that Thor should dress as the bride as a way to get Thor's hammer back. Thor balks at the idea and Loki seconds Heimdallr's idea, saying it will be the only that Thor can get his hammer back. For without Mjöllnir, the jötnar will be able to invade Asgard. Relenting, Thor agrees to dress as a bride, taking Freyja's place. Dressing as a maid to the disguised Thor, Loki goes with Thor down to Jötunheimr.
After arriving in Jötunheimr, Þrymr commands the jötnar of his hall to make the place presentable for Freyja has arrived to be his bride. Þrymr then tells how of all of his treasured animals and objects, that Freyja was the one missing piece to all of his wealth.
Disguised, Loki and Thor meet with Þrymr and all of his jötnar. At the feast, Thor consumes a large amount of food and mead, something that is at odds with Þrymr's impressions of Freyja. Loki, feigning the part of a shrewd maid, tells Þrymr how that is because Freyja had not eaten anything for eight days in her eagerness to arrive. Þrymr decides that he wants to kiss his bride and when he lifts "Freyja's" veil, fierce looking eyes stare back at him. Again, Loki says that this is because Freyja hasn't slept either during the past eight nights.
A poor sister of the jötnar arrives, calling for the bridal gift from Freyja if she cares anything at all for the jötnar. The jötnar then bring out Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir in order to sanctify the bride as they lay it on "Freyja's" lap. Þrymr and Freyja will be handfasted by the goddess Var. When Thor sees his hammer, he grabs hold of Mjöllnir and proceeds to beat all of the jötnar with it. Thor even kills the poor sister of the jötnar. Thus, Thor gets his hammer back.
Völuspá – In this poem, a dead völva tells the history of the universe and the future Odin in disguise about the death of Thor. The völva foretells how Thor will battle with the Midgard serpent during the great mythical battle known as Ragnarok. How after slaying the serpent, Thor will only be able to take nine steps before dying from the serpent's venom.
After the battle, the sky turns black before fire envelops the world, the stars vanishing, flames dancing across the sky, steam rising and the world becoming covered in water before it raises again, once more green and fertile.
The Prose Edda & Other Sagas
Not to be confused with the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda consists of four books: Prologue, Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, and Háttatal written by Snorri Sturluson.
In the Prose Edda, Thor is a prince of Troy, the son of King Memnon by Troana, the daughter of Priam. In this account, Thor is also known as Tror who is to have married the prophetess Sibyl, identified with Sif. It continues that Thor was raised in Thrace by the chieftain Lorikus whom Thor later kills and takes on the title: King of Thrace. Like later Marvel versions of Thor, this version of Thor also has blonde hair.
Snorri Sturluson explains how the name of the Aesir gods means: "men from Asia" and that Asgard was an "Asian City" that is, Troy. Given that Troy is located anciently in Tyrkland (Turkey) and is part of Asia Minor, that explanation works. So Asialand or Scythia is where Thor is to have founded a new city by the name of Asgard. Odin in this version is a descendant of Thor by twelve generations, who leads an expedition across Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
So, if Snorri can play around with Thor's mythology, so can Marvel comics.
This is another of Snorri Sturluson's books, written in the 13th century C.E. Statues attributed to Thor are found mentioned in a number of different sagas. Namely the Ynglinga saga, Hákonar saga góða, Ólafs saga Tryggvasonar, and Óláfs saga Helga sagas. In the Ynglinga saga, Thor is described as having been a pagan priest who was given by Odin, another powerful, magic using chieftain to the East, a place in the mythical place of Þrúðvangr, that is now Sweden. A number of popular names for Thor likely originate from the Ynglinga.
Ragnarok – Twilight of the Gods
The final end game of the Norse Gods, this not exactly a happy time as a good many of the gods end up dying.
Jormungand – On the day of Ragnarok, Thor would kill the Midgard Serpent known as Jormungand and then die in turn from the serpent's poison. Thor's sons, Magni and Modi would inherit the hammer. Though just how they would split it between them is unknown.
Norse Versus Christianity
Dating from the 800's C.E., there's a story how a bunch of priests of Thor had shown up at a Christian monastery of monks. Apparently, word had gotten around and the priests of Thor weren't happy with how the monks their God were transgressing on Thor's territory.
The priests of Thor were considering wiping out all of the monks, but knew if they did that, more monks and followers of Christianity would soon arrive.
Thor's priests then decided on a pretty clever plan, let the gods fight it out for who would be the supreme deity. Thor's priests were very confident that Thor would show up, leaving the Christian monks to have their God show up. The monks declined the challenge.
It's an interesting story of people so certain in the reality of their faith and deities.
Old Saxon Baptismal Vow
This codex dating from the 9th century C.E. has the names of three Old Saxon gods, UUôden (Old Saxon "Wodan"), Saxnôte, and Thunaer, listed as demons to be renounced by the Germanic pagans converting to Christianity.
This is a specific breed of fox found in Iceland. The name translates to "Thor of the Holt" and receives the name due to their red coats.
Thorwiggar – Thor's Wedges
In Swedish folklore, these are smooth, wedge-shaped stones that were thrown by Thor at a troll.
In a similar vein, meteorites are considered memorials to Thor due to how heavy they are.
On the Swedish island of Gotland, this is the name of a beetle named after the god Thor. It is believed that when this beetle is found upside down, that a person can gain Thor's favor by flipping the beetle back over.
Unfortunately, in other parts of Sweden, this beetle has become demonized with the Christinization of Europe as seen in the name of Thordedjefvul and Thordyfvel, both of which mean "Thor-Devil."
Etymology – Greek – ophis (serpent), ekhein or okhos (holder), "Serpent-Bearer"
Pronunciation: Oh-fee-YOU-cuss
Also known as: Ὀφιοῦχος (Greek), Anguitenens, Serpentarius, Hebitsukai-Za (Japanese, "Serpent Bearer", the Serpent-holder, the Serpent Bearer, the Serpent Wrestler, or the Snake Charmer
The constellation of Ophiuchus is represented as a man holding a snake, seen in the constellation of Serpens. The body of Ophiuchus divides the Serpens constellation in half to Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda.
The ancient Greeks saw the god Apollo in the constellation of Ophiuchus, contending with a large snake that guarded the Delphi Oracle. Many others have seen various legendary healers from Joseph and Aaron from the Bible, Imhotep and Asclepius in this constellation.
Astronomy & Astrology
Much of the foundations of Western knowledge regarding the fields of Astronomy and Astrology owe its roots to Ancient Mesopotamian cultures. Many ancient cultures studied the stars, seeing in them patterns that are called constellations. These ancient astronomers could make predictable, annual turnings of the heavens that they could divide and mark for the passing of the Seasons and time. For the ancients, Astrology served as a precursor to Astronomy and they believed that by studying the heavens, they could foretell future events and even a person's life path.
These ancient cultures would also meet and exchange ideas frequently and in this fashion, when the Greeks encountered the Persians, there was an exchange of knowledge regarding Astronomy that becomes the constellations and zodiacs so many know today. Eventually, there is no clear distinction between what ancient Mesopotamian Astronomers and Greeks Philosophers knew. Even in current, modern times, the influence of these ancients is still known.
Western Astronomy
The constellation known as Ophiuchus is one of 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy in his book, Almagest. Today it remains as one of the 88 current or modern constellations. It is a large constellation, ranking 11th in size and located near the celestial equator. Ophiuchus was previously known as Anguitenens and Serpentarius; which in Latin has the same meaning as the modern name.
Constellations bordering with Ophiuchus are: Aquila, Libra, Scorpius, Serpens and Hercules. If you know where in the night sky that Orion is, Ophiuchus on the opposite. The best time to spot Ophiuchus is during the month of July in the Northern Hemisphere.
Babylonian Astronomy
The ancient Babylonians have a constellation known as the "Sitting Gods" that might have been in the same location of the night sky that Ophiuchus is found.
The Sumerian god, Enki has also been suggested as who the constellation is based on.
In his book, Babylonian Star-lore, Gavin White suggests that Ophiuchus has a connection to the ancient snake god, Nirah, who is sometimes depicted having the upper body of a man and snakes for legs. This idea seems a bit farfetched as there aren't too many other scholarly works to validate or refute it.
Ophiuchus, combined with Serpens was known as Nu-tsir-da.
Arabic & Islamic Astronomy
According to 10th century C.E., Azophi's Uranometry, the constellation of Ophiuchus is known by the name of Al-Hawwa', the Snake-Charmer.
An Arabic title for Ophiuchus is Suille. Herodotus mentions a tribe of snake-charmers known as Psylli in North Africa. This part offered up some confusion keeping this straight. Again, as there's some conflicting information and research. I found a "le Psylle" that refers to an insect. This may be to a lot of confusion with languages and translations.
Chinese Astronomy
To the ancient Chinese astronomers, Alpha Ophiuchi is known as Hou, a senior assistant to the Emperor. The Emperor's thrown, Dizuo is located directly north in the Hercules constellation where it corresponds with the star Alpha Herculis. What exactly Hou's role is, is rather unclear. Some have referred to him as an overseer, an usher bringing in guests and possibly an astrologer.
The stars Iota and Kappa Ophiuchi formed Hu, a measuring cup for liquids, this constellation is found further in the Hercules constellation.
For the ancient Chinese, the southern part of Hercules, most of Serpens and Ophiuchus were viewed as a celestial market place, Tianshi. To the left of Tianshi, there is an eastern wall that starts in the constellation of Hercules and heads south through Serpens Cauda and ending in Ophiuchus at Eta Ophiuchi. To the right of Tianshi, a western wall runs southward from Hercules, through Serpens Caput and ends in Ophiuchus with stars Delta, Epsilon and Zeta Ophiuchi. The stars 20 Ophiuchi and Chesi are seen as market stalls along the right wall. The stars Lambda Ophiuchi and Sigma Serpentis made up Liesi, an arcade where jewelers shops could be found.
Comprised of stars Mu, 47, 30 and a much fainter star formed a six-star loop that represents a hall or a tower housing the trading standards office. Finishing out this shape are the stars Omicron and Nu in Serpens Cauda.
Zongzheng, Zongren, and Zong
These three constellations are found to the south of Hou. Zongzheng is noted by the stars Beta and Gamma Ophiuchi and Zongren is noted by the stars 66, 67, 68 and 70 Ophiuchi. These two constellations are seen to represent a governor and his aides who are supervising the younger members of the royal family. Zong is noted by the stars 71 and 72 Ophiuchi and is seen to represent a revered ancestor to the royal family.
The stars Phi, Chi, Psi, and Omega Ophiuchi formed Dongxian found outside the market walls. Dongxian is the western door to the steward's room, used for investigating on any trade infractions. The eastern door, Xixian is found in Scorpius and Libra.
Marked by Theta Ophiuchi and three other stars, this constellation is a celestial river, located in the Milky Way and thought to control the waterways.
Lying next to Tianjiang, this constellation is composed of eight faint stars found in Ophiuchus and Sagittarius. It is thought that Tianyue lays directly on the ecliptic and represents a keyhole or lock that the Sun must thread itself through every year. It lays directly across the heavens from Tiangun, a gate found on the ecliptic within the Taurus constellation.
Christian Theology
In later symbolic literature for Christianity, the imagery of Ophiuchus and the serpent is used in the story of the Garden of Eden. In his Paradise Lost, John Milton uses Ophiuchus as a major simile where he compares Satan to a comet that burns through the length of the constellation.
Again, with the strong imagery of the figure holding a serpent, some astrologists have connected the story of Joseph from the Biblical Book of Genesis and his interpreting dreams for the Pharaoh. Another story connecting Ophiuchus to the bible is that of Aaron and his casting down his rod to become a snake.
Egyptian Mythology
Due to the rise of interest in Ophiuchus as a 13th Astrological sign, many have been quick to identify the Greek physician Asclepius in this constellation. In turn, discussion extends to an earlier Egyptian healer, Imhotep that Asclepius is based on.
Greek Astronomy
The 4th century B.C.E. Greek poet, Aratus has the earliest mention of Ophiuchus in his Phaenomena, which in turn is based on earlier works by Eudoxus of Cnidus. While Aratus didn't know much about astronomy by Greek standards of the day, he was very well known for his poetry and descriptive imagery for the constellations.
The ancient Greeks saw the god Apollo in the constellation of Ophiuchus, contending with a large snake that guarded the Delphi Oracle.
The son of the god Apollo, Asclepius is the figure most often seen and identified in the constellation of Ophiuchus. Elevated to the status of a demi or lesser god, Asclepius was greatly renowned for his healing skills to the degree that he could even bring people back from the dead.
This knowledge of healing came about after Glaucus, the son of King Minos of Crete had fallen into a jar of honey and drowned. Asclepius had been called into the scene and while there, saw a snake slithering towards Glaucus' body. Asclepius killed the snake and then saw another snake come in and place an herb on the body of the first snake, bringing it back to life. After witnessing this, Asclepius proceeded to take the same herb and place it on Glaucus' body and bring him back to life.
Another story of Asclepius bringing people back to life is the resurrection of Thesues' son, Hippolytus after the king's son had been thrown from his chariot.
Asclepius had been raised by Chiron, the immortal centaur and god in his own right. From Chiron, Asclepius learned the art of healing and in one story, Asclepius received the blood of the slain gorgon Medusa from the goddess Athena. The gorgon's blood reportedly held some mystical qualities. The blood taken from the left side of Medusa's body was a poison while the blood taken from the right side would be able to resurrect people, bringing them back from the dead.
This caused enough of a complaint from Hades to Zeus that humans would become immortal and that there wouldn't be any one entering the Underworld. To prevent people from becoming immortal, Zeus agreed to kill Asclepius, doing so with a lightning bolt. Later, Zeus placed Asclepius' image up into the heavens to become the constellation of Ophiuchus in honor and memory.
Ophiuchus is part of the Hercules Family of constellations. The myth I found making this connection, has the famous hero Hercules kill Kaikias, the Blinding One. Kaikias or Caecius is the god of the North East Wind who is shown carrying a large shield that scatters hailstones upon the earth.
Other Greek myths see the figure of Laocoön, a Trojan priest of Poseidon. Laocoön had tried to warn the other Trojans about the Trojan Horse and the fact that the Greeks were hiding within it. He would later be killed by a pair of sea serpents sent by the gods to punish Laocoön.
Another Greek myth links Phorbos with the constellation of Ophiuchus. The son of Triopas and Hiscilla, Phorbas became the hero of the island of Rhodes when he saved the people from a plague of serpents. Sometimes this is interpreted to have been dragons, but snakes is often referred to or meant in the story. An oracle had told the people to call on Phorbas who came and rid the island of snakes.
Renaissance And Early Modern Depictions
Inspired by Aratus' description of Ophiuchus stepping on the constellation of Scorpio with his feet, others such as Renaissance artist such as Albrecht Dürer and astronomer Johannes Kepler continued this idea.
Roman Astronomy
For the Romans, the legendary healer, Asclepius is Romanized to the Latin spelling of Aesculapius. The Ophiuchus constellation is known by the Latin name of Serpentarius.
Hercules Family
The constellation of Ophiuchus, along with 18 other constellations of: Cygnus, Hercules, Sagitta, Aquila, Lyra, Vulpecula, Hydra, Sextans, Crater, Corvus, Serpens, Scutum, Centaurus, Lupus, Corona Australis, Ara, Triangulum Australe, and Crux.
These constellations have some connection to the overall legend and myth of the Grecian hero Hercules. They are the largest grouping of constellations found in the Western Hemisphere.
The connection extends from Donald H. Menzel, the director of the Harvard Observatory, who in his A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets, takes groups of constellations based on where in the night sky they are located and grouping them by the very same location.
Stars Of Ophiuchus
Alpha Ophiuchi – Also known as Rasalhagues or Ras Alhague, meaning "Head of the Snake Charmer" or "Snake Collector" in Arabic, is the brightest star in the Ophiuchus constellation. It marks the head of Ophiuchus.
Beta Ophiuchi – Also known as Celbalrai. Cheleb and Kelb Alrai, it comes from the Arabic word kalb al-rā'ī, meaning "the shepherd dog." Ptolemy in his Almagest, placed the right shoulder of the Serpent Holder with this star along with Gamma Ophiuchi.
The Arabs saw a Shepherd in the star Alpha Ophiuchi with his dog, the star Beta Ophiuchi guarding sheep in the area.
Delta Ophiuchi – Also known as Yed Prior, the word "yed" comes from the Arabic language meaning "the hand." Along with the star Epsilon Ophiuchi, these two stars mark the left hand of the Serpent Bearer, holding the head of the snake.
Epsilon Ophiuchi – Also known as Yed Posterior, this star along with Delta Ophiuchi mark the left hand of the Serpent Bearer.
Eta Ophiuchi – Also known as Sabik is the second brightest star in Ophiuchus.
Gamma Ophiuchi – Ptolemy in his Almagest, placed the right shoulder of the Serpent Holder with this star along with Beta Ophiuchi.
Iota Ophiuchi – Ptolemy in his Almagest, placed the left shoulder of the Serpent Holder with this star along with Kappa Ophiuchi.
Kappa Ophiuchi – Ptolemy in his Almagest, placed the left shoulder of the Serpent Holder with this star along with Iota Ophiuchi.
Barnard's Star – This is the second or third closest star to our own sun about 6 light-years away. The only other stars that are closer are those found in the Alpha Centauri binary star system and Proxima Centauri. Banard's Star is located just north of a V-shaped group of stars that form a now obsolete constellation known as Taurus Poniatovii or Poniatowski's Bull, specifically 66 Ophiuchi.
Taurus Poniatovii – Obsolete Constellation
According to Ptolemy's The Almagest, the stars 66, 67, 68, 70, and 72 Ophiuchi made a short-lived constellation that formed a bull. The constellation has since then been combined wiwth Ophiuchus to form the right shoulder and tail of the serpent.
Ophiuchus Superbubble
First off, what is a Superbubble? It's an astronomical event that happens when area of space, often hundreds of light years in distance has been created by several stars going supernovae and stellar winds blowing in interstellar gas. It's basically what's left over after the star or stars have finished going nova.
2005 saw a group of astronomers using information from the Green Bank Telescope to discover and identify one such Superbubble or Supershell. This particular superbubble is so large it reaches out beyond the furthest edges of the galaxy.
Kepler's Supernova
Also, known as Keplar's Star. On October 9th, 1604, Johannes Kepler observed a supernova near the star Ophiuchi. Johannes would study this nova so extensively that it would eventually be named after him. The book, De stella nova in pede Serpentarii (On the New Star in Ophiuchus' Foot) contains all of Johannes' studies and finding on this nova.
Galileo used this nova's brief appearance when countering Aristotelian dogma and beliefs that the heavens were unchangeable.
Little Ghost Nebula
This is a planetary nebula found in Ophiuchus by William Herschel. It is about 2,000 light years away from the Earth.
Dark Horse Nebula
Also, known as the Great Dark Horse is a nebula found in Ophiuchus. This nebular is so named as its shape looks like the profile of a horse. It lays near the border with the constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpius. The Dark Horse Nebula is one of the largest and with the right conditions, it can be seen without the aid of binoculars.
Pipe Nebula
This nebula is part of the larger Dark Horse Nebula and is considered to form the hind legs or quarters of the Dark Horse. Like the Dark Horse, the Pipe can be seen without any aid from telescopes or binoculars, but its still helpful to use them.
Snake Nebula
Yet another nebula found in Ophiuchus. Like the Pipe Nebula, the Snake Nebula is also part of the much larger Dark Horse Nebula. It is about 650 light years from the Earth. While small, the snake is easily found for its distinctive s-shape near the bowl part of the Pipe Nebula.
Twin Jet Nebula
Also, known as Minkowski's Butterfly or the Butterfly Nebula, it was first discovered by German-American astronomer Rudolph Minkowski in 1947. The nebula is so named as it appears like either a butterfly or a pair of exhaust pipes on a jet.
There are four meteor shows associated with the constellation of Ophiuchus. They are the Ophiuchids, the Northern May Ophiuchids, Southern May Ophiuchids and Theta Ophiuchids.
Ophiuchus In Astrology?
The 13th Sign of the Zodiac!
Not so fast there! It may sound great and exciting, but such is not the case.
The idea of a 13th Sign for the Zodiac quickly caught fire in the imaginations of many aspiring astrologers, New Agers and assorted others.
Even from the expert astrologers, it must be remembered that Ophiuchus is a constellation, not a new Zodiac Sign. You don't have to worry about going to bed, believing you were a Scorpio or Sagittarius and suddenly, everything has changed and you're now an Ophiuchus. Nothing of the sort.
Yes, Ophiuchus is one of thirteen constellations that crosses the ecliptic as the earth makes it monthly journey around the sun and appears to move from one Zodiac Sign to the next. There is a huge difference though between a constellation and a Sign within the Zodiac. Traditionally the classical Greek Zodiac is set up into twelve Signs that stretch along the earth's ecliptic path with each sign having roughly a month's time. Especially in the Western traditions. The set up for the for the Signs also follow the changes of the seasons so that the March equinox will fall on the day when the celestial boundary is between Aries and Pisces.
Constellations on the other hand, vary in size and are based on the positions of the stars. Due to the precession of the equinoxes over the millennia, a Sign and constellation no longer directly line up and correlate to which Zodiac is in the heavens.
A History Lesson
Ptolemy, in his book Tetrabiblos, 170 C.E., mentions only 12 Signs. Yes Ophiuchus and some of the fixed stars got used by some of the ancient astrologers for the more significant celestial events. The 1st C.E. poet Manilius for example, in his Astronomica, describes Ohiuchus in an astrological poem. Later, Manilus goes on to discuss the astrological influence of Ophiuchus, commenting that when this constellation is rising, a person will have an affinity for snakes and be protected from their poison. Of course, a later 4th century astrologer known as Anonymous of 379 will make the association of Ras Alhague, the brightest star in Ophiuchus, as the star of doctors, healers and physicians.
Alright, so I can see where some people will jump up and down getting excited for: "See! It is the 13th Sign!"
In more modern 20th and 21st century, the IAU (International Astronomy Union) in 1930 came up with the idea of 13 astrological Signs due to "the Sun is in the sign of Ophiuchus" between November 29th and December 17th with where the constellation boundaries lay. This continues with Stephen Schmidt in 1970, when he suggested a 14-Sign Zodiac, which includes Cetus as a Sign. Later, in 1995, the 13-Sign Zodiac is put forward by Walter Berg in his "The 13 Signs of the Zodiac" and Mark Yazaki in Japan. There, the concept of Ophiuchus took off in Japanese pop culture appearing in a number of video games, notably Final Fantasy and the anime and manga series known as Fairy Tail.
People's imaginations got fired up for a 13th Sign when an astronomy professor Parke Kunkle from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College explained to his local paper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune about the precession of stars over time and that eventually, old markers for time with the changes of the season altered.
The specific quote is this – "Two thousand years ago the Sun was 'in' whatever it was in. Now it's about a whole constellation off from that." It's a quote that went viral and got picked up by various media news sites. And for the lay person who first gets into Astrology or doesn't know anything at all, there's the assumption that it's all based on the constellations and not the Signs.
But It Must Be A Sign!
If you're insisting it must be a new Zodiac Sign, here we go –
The time for Ophiuchus is from November 29th to December 17th. This takes up a good chunk of the time that's for Sagittarius that typically runs from November 23rd to December 21st. Perhaps you can see why this is problematic.
As a 13th Sign, Ophiuchus doesn't have an opposite Sign like all the others do. Adding Ophiuchus makes the use of the Zodiacs more Constellation based or sidereal. The use of sidereal astrology is more typical of the Vedic Astrology. Walter Berg states that the Sun is the Planet associated for this Sign. Many also place a strong emphasis on Ophiuchus' role and affinity with healing through the use of imagery with Asclepius, Imhotep and to a lesser degree others like Joseph of Biblical fame for his interpretation of dreams and the Babylonian god Enki.
Ophiuchans are described as: seekers of wisdom and knowledge, they're known for having a flamboyant or brightly colored wardrobe, they get along will with authority and supervisors, a seeker of peace and harmony, dream interpretation, premonitions, medical affinity, likely to have a large family though possibly have left their own home at an early age and have an eye for design and construction. The number 12 is considered an Ophiuchan's lucky number and people may or may not be a bit envious for their progress and advances in life.


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|Stefano Mazzocchi <stef...@apache.org>
|Re: Flow wishlist :)
|Tue, 03 Dec 2002 19:18:13 GMT
Ok, seems to me that we are finally converging to something. Great. Hunsberger, Peter wrote: > That could be and it's partly why I've started this discussion. This morning > in a responses to Ovidiu I pointed out that perhaps what I really want is > just to be able to use XSLT as the flow language? I'm not quite sure how > that would work, but that's essentially what I'm looking for... Ok, so instead of sitemap+flowscript you want XSLT+sitemap. Ok, I'm starting to get it. [snip] > I hope no changes should be needed other than those that are currently be > worked on to support flow and blocks. Part of my reason for pursuing this > is to see if it will be possible to use flow and/or blocks to support what I > want to do. Hmmmm, I'm not currently in favor of a pluggable sitemap engine... but you do have a point here, so let's keep the door open for a possibility. NOTE: the way cocoon is already architected makes it very easy to connect a new sitemap engine (we already have two: interpreted and compiled) and its also completely detached from the request environment (as for CLI abstraction). It would be pretty straightforward to plug in a different sitemap engine that didn't use the current sitemap semantics but something else entirely. But I consider this a last resource, something that gets *too* close to FS and over-componentization. [snip] > Yes, I agree; I kept out of the blocks "language" discussion for the most > part because I don't have enough experience with trying to plug new things > into C2 yet. It looks like that discussion has come to some consensus but > I'm not quite sure what it is? It seems to me that however it shakes out > will be sufficient for my needs... Hmmm, so far there has been *no* discussion whatsoever in allowing blocks to extend or overwrite the internal core functionalities of cocoon. And that was on purpose. This is the first time it emerges but it's good to see if it makes sense or it's just FS. >>This is more a community-thing that a technical issue, but look at the >>mess that Avalon became after allowing people to diverge without >>creating consensus :/ > > > Not familiar with the issues, but I'll trust you on that and stay away from > getting involved if you don't mind ;-) Oh, lucky you :) [snip] > There are definitely two issues here. I'm not very concerned about this last > one, more about how easy it would be to plug something new in to manage > flow. Ok, got it. > After working through this discussion it seems that this primary > concern is probably: sitemap+flowxslt instead of sitemap+flowscript. The > problem now is that, (like you ?), I can't quite see how the two concepts > could be pluggable replacements for each other? Yes, I definately can't see why anybody would want to use XSLT for the flow description.... but that might well be my personal limitation kicking in and I fully want to understand your point so that I might learn something that I failed to see before. Still, XSLT was *NOT* designed for those type of things and my gut feeling is that by twisting its model too much you might end up having something that uses the same XSLT syntax but is not XSLT anymore... so it might simply confuse people and appear as a 'golden-hammer' anti-pattern. [and XSLT is so overloaded with that that's sad!] > I'd rather avoid using XSLT extensions, so I guess that means having some > kind of DOM model where the input is a bunch of data and the XSLT reduced it > to a single node that the flow controller then somehow interprets as the > next "step" instruction? > > >>What you are presenting above is a very complex way to transform your >>data. > > > Gee, couldn't the same be said of all of Cocoon? :-) No, that can be said for Xalan. Cocoon is much more than a way to transform your data. >>I don't see what you can['t] manage flow with XSLT. > > > Well, as you pointed out earlier, all Turing complete languages are > isomorphic to each other... In case you didn't realize, XSLT is definately *not* a turing-complete language :) [you need internal scripting or extensions to turn it into one] > Well we're still in an architecture mode and I haven't yet started on a > prototype, but off the top of my head I could see an XSLT that looked > something like the following. (Bear with me for a moment, this isn't right, > but I think it introduces the concept better than jumping directly to what I > want): Great. > <xslt:template match="count(data/*) = 0"> > <map:transform src="error.xsl"> > <map:parameter name="parms" value="/request:parms/*"/> > </map:transform> > </xslt:template> > > <xslt:template match="count(data/*) = 1"> > <map:transform src="detail.xsl"> > <map:parameter name="data" value="data/*"/> > </map:transform> > </xslt:template> > > <xslt:template match="count(data/*) > 1"> > <map:transform src="list.xsl"> > <map:parameter name="data" value="."/> > </map:transform> > </xslt:template> Ah, we are coming back to the XPathSelector!!! <map:select type="xpath"> <map:when test="count(data/*) = 0"> <map:transform src="error.xsl"/> </map:when> ... </map:select> This was proposed a while ago but was voted down since the sitemap routing components shouldn't have a way to access the content of the pipeline. > This being for the data results selection case we discussed earlier. > Obviously this trivial example could just be a <xsl:choose> but the point is > that there may be other things going on for each match (in particular the > apply-templates invoking the templates might be complex and the parameter > building would be more complex.) > > The problem with this as I've sketched it out so far is that it appears that > the XSLT is spitting out components on the fly (so to speak) when what you > really want to do is choose between existing components. As such, the > output should probably be a new statement. Also, what I'd really like is not > to use parameters to pass the nodes on, but to specify that a particular set > of nodes is directly the input to the transform. Finally, maybe the name > space should be Cocoon: instead of map: since that might make it clearer > where the output is going (and it matches up with the Cocoon pseudo > protocol)? Thus, the example of geographic vs. temporal search might look > something like: > > <xsl:template match="searchType"> > <xsl:variable name="curType" select="text()"/> > <xsl:choose> > <xsl:when test="/consent='All' or > /consent=protocol"> > <Cocoon:select name="search" src="."/> > </xsl:when> > <xsl:when test="not(/history/searchType/text() != > $curType > > <!-- the above probably doesn't work... --> > <Cocoon:select name="search" src="."/> > </xsl:when> > <xsl:otherwise> > <Cocoon:select name="error.xsl" src="."/> > </xsl:otherwise> > </xsl:choose> > </xsl:template> Yeah, I think that all you want might be achieved with the XPathSelector. The use of XSLT is *clearly* overkill. What you are describing is *NOT* XSLT: even if it uses the same syntax, the semantics are totally different (in fact, you are mixing XSLT semantics with the sitemap semantics... this cannot possibly be easier to learn/use/maintain than just the sitemap semantics) Unfortunately, I still think it's a deadly approach. See below. > Just for the heck of it let me contrast what I want with the flowscript > approach to see if this helps: > > Flowscript: > > I've got a bunch of data, some represented as nodes, some as parameters and > some as a FOM model in JavaScript. I process this mixed representation of > the data and send some of it off to the end user. I get some data back, do > some conversion of the data between the various representations, do some > more processing and send something to the user once more. Etc, etc. > > New thingy: > > I've got a bunch of data represented as a bunch of nodes. I process these > nodes and I send them off to the end user. I get some nodes back from the > user, I do some more processing on these nodes, etc. etc. > > I see what I'm looking for as a conceptually much cleaner way of attacking > the whole problem without having to work with my data being managed in > several different ways. One language, one data model start to finish.... Yes. This has been the argument about the XPathSelector as well. But my architectural vision says that the pipeline should contain data while all metadata should remain outside the pipeline. This, instead of mixing stuff in the pipeline, enforces separation and clean design. Your bunch of data is always represented as nodes (since it's XML and must be processed that way). Your bunch of metadata is always represented as objects (since it's not XML and should not be processed that way). The use of XPathSelection in the sitemap stops us from being allowed to separate flow from resource production. Exactly because you merge two different datasets (pipeline data and pipeline metadata). To me it's definately not cleaner model but it's aggregation of concerns. -- Stefano Mazzocchi <firstname.lastname@example.com> -------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com For additional commands, email: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Homemade Iron Man Suit Has a Functional, Laser-Firing Unibeam
Laser Gadgets owner Patrick Priebe is a master of turning fiction into fact. The German sci-fi enthusiast has created real-life versions of Batman's gauntlet and Spider-Man's web shooters, but now he's set himself on a much bigger task: Iron Man's chest plate.
In the video below, Priebe demonstrates his fully functional piece of Iron Man lore, which uses lasers to the same effect as Tony Stark's unibeam. His chest plate burns through cardboard, wood, pork and — yes — even steel. When inactive, the chest plate lights up blue like Stark's arc reactor technology, which powers the suit in the films.
RELATED: When Did Marvel's 'Science Bros' First Work Together?
"The lasers are really dangerous, had to test them before the 'Is it wearable,'" Priebe explained to TheWrap. "They melt steel sheet. So very close to a real Iron Man unibeam."
RELATED: House of M-Style Iron Man Gets A New Figure
This isn't the first time Priebe has assembled a piece of Iron Man's suit. He has also created a functional Iron Man gauntlet from Avengers: Age of Ultron, which shoots a laser just like Tony Stark's does. He has been creating his own versions of technology from sci-fi films and video games for roughly seven years and even sells some pieces on his website.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Iron Man appears in Spider-Man: Homecoming, which is now in theaters.
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Mechanical Purge vs Air Purge
Mechanical Purge Spray Guns
Mechanical purge serves two functions in a spray gun. A valving rod is set inside the mixing chamber of the gun. When the gun is not triggered, the valving rod remains static and closes of the two chemical ports. When the gun is triggered, the valving rod withdraws, opens up the two chemical ports to let the polyol resin and isocyanate materials into the gun to mix and spray. When the trigger is released, the rod comes forward closing off the two chemical ports and mechanically purges the remaining mixed material out of the gun.
Mechanical Purge Operation Diagram
|Mechanical Purge Polyurea Spray Guns use a Moving Valving Rod to Purge Mixed Materials
Air Purge
Air purge guns work similar to mechanical purge guns, except they purge the material from mixing chamber and gun block using a quick blast of air. Instead of fixed mixing and a moving purge rod, like a mechanical purge gun uses, the air purge gun uses a moving mixing chamber to valve the material flow on and off.
Air Purge Operation Diagram
|Mechanical Purge Polyurea Spray Guns use a Moving Valving Rod to Purge Mixed Materials
Solvent Purge
Solvent purge is not that common and requires flushing of a cleaning solvent through the gun to neutralize the chemical reaction and the wash out the inside of the gun. This not favorable due to the fact that solvents cost additional money, they need to be properly disposed of (costing more money), and they can be harmful to the operators and the environment, if not handled properly.